System identification of open water channels with undershot and overshot gates

In this paper we consider system identification of irrigation channels. Both undershot and overshot gates are treated, and the overshot gates operate in both free and submerged flow. The models are estimated and validated on operational data from The Coleambally Main Channel in Australia. The obtained system identification models are very accurate, and they are able to simulate the real water level more than 12 h ahead of time. Moreover, they are computationally inexpensive and ideally suited for control design. The results show that system identification and control have important parts to play in management of water resources.